Vibration decay pattern modifiers for archery bows (III)

ABSTRACT

Devices for modifying the decay pattern of shock and vibrations set up in a bow when an arrow is released to thereby reduce bow jump and the level of sound. Those devices are fabricated in part from an elastomeric material which flexes and stretches to attenuate vibrations reaching the component. An element of the distortoring elastomeric component so touches the bow as to further dampen the vibrations with a consequent reduction in sound and bow jump.

CROSS REFERENCE TO ANOTHER APPLICATION

[0001] This application is entitled to, and claims the priority of aU.S. provisional patent application No. 60/332,498 filed Nov. 15, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates in one respect to archery bows anda more particularly, to novel accessories which improve accuracy of suchbows by modifying the decay pattern of the shock and sound vibrationsset up in the bow when an arrow is released.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] The release of an arrow from even a modern bow sets upsignificant shock waves and vibrations in the limbs of the bow, andthese are in large part transmitted to the riser of the bow and fromthere to the archer's hand. The result is a significant adverse effecton accuracy. Also, a significant fraction of these vibrations are in theaudible range. The sound is loud enough to frighten an animal andthereby deprive a hunter of a second shot.

[0004] A variety of accessories have been employed (or proposed) in aneffort to reduce the adverse effect of shock and vibration on theaccuracy of the bow. At best, such devices have proved to be of limitedvalue.

[0005] The exception is those vibration decay pattern modifiersdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,842 issued Oct. 9, 2001 to Sims. Thesepatented accessories significantly reduce the adverse effect on accuracyof the shock and vibration generated when an arrow is released. Theyalso significantly reduce the level of the sound generated when an arrowis released. Different ones of these decay pattern modifiers are fixedto the limbs of the bow and/or to the end of the stabilizer typicallyattached to the riser of a compound bow.

[0006] Decay pattern modifiers as disclosed in the 6,298,842 patent arefabricated from an elastomeric polymer and have a configuration suchthat the modifier can inter alia, vibrate or oscillate toward and awayfrom the longitudinal axis of the modifier and can oscillate indirections generally parallel to the longitudinal modifier axis. Flexand stretch motions are also set up in the material of the damper. Thecombined result of these motions is a wiggle and jiggle effect whichsignificantly alters the decay pattern of shock and vibrations set up inthe bow when an arrow is released, effectively minimizing bow jump andreducing sound levels.

[0007] Yet another, particularly important advantage of the patentedinvention is that there is only a small, two foot per second (typical)loss in arrow velocity appurtenant to the use of decay pattern modifiersembodying its principles.

[0008] Another important attribute of the patented decay patternmodifiers is that they are light and small enough that they do notinterfere with the normal drawing of the bow string and subsequentrelease of an arrow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] There have now been invented and disclosed herein certain decaypattern modifying accessories which even further reduce bow jump andsound level when an arrow is released from an archery bow. Theseaccessories are designed to be mounted to the limbs of a split limb orsolid limb bow or to the limbs of a recurve or other archery bow.

[0010] The accessories disclosed herein are in certain respectsimprovements over those disclosed in the 6,298,842 patent. These newaccessories have a component fabricated from an elastomeric material,and the elastomeric component is mounted to the bow limb by way of agenerally rigid mounting component which transmits shock and sound wavesfrom the bow limb to the elastomeric material. The new accessories havea “two-step” mode of operation. In the first step, the accessory flexesand stretches and otherwise distorts (i.e. wiggles and jiggles) tomodify the decay pattern of the vibrations set up in the limbs of thebow when an arrow is released such that bow jump and noise aresignificantly released.

[0011] In the second step of the dampening process, an element of theelastomeric component touches the limb of the bow to which the decaypattern modifier is mounted. This provides a second level of bow jumpand sound dampening in much the same manner that the sound of a bell ismuted by touching it with one's finger.

[0012] As this restoration step proceeds, an integral element of theelastomeric accessory component acts as a dampener, further reducingaudible sound and shock vibrations in much the same manner that a fingertouched to a ringing bell reduces the sound level of the bell and theduration of the period for which the sound is audible.

[0013] The result of the two steps described above is significantlyimproved performance in terms of bow jump and sound reduction.

[0014] Another significant difference between the vibration patternmodifying accessories disclosed herein and those disclosed in the6,298,842 patent is that the former have a lower profile. This makes itless likely that the bow to which they are attached will snag on brushor clothing or the like.

[0015] Also, the accessories disclosed herein have a longer service lifeand are less susceptible to failure.

[0016] In addition, the novel accessories of the present invention haveall of the features and advantages of those accessories disclosed in the6,298,842 patent.

[0017] The objects, advantages, and features of the present inventionwill be apparent ot the reader from the foregoing and the appendedclaims and from the ensuing description and discussion of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary and pictorial view of a solid limbcompound bow equipped with a shock and sound dampening accessoryembodying the principles of the present invention; the accessory ismounted to the inner side of the limb;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the components of the FIG. 1accessory: viz., an elastomeric component, a generally rigid attachmentplate, and a peel away cover for an adhesive coating on the side of themounting plate component opposite from the elastomeric component;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastomeric accessorycomponent;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a section through the FIG. 1 accessory with the coverpartly peeled away from the adhesive;

[0022]FIG. 4A is a view showing, pictorially, one of the many paths ofdeflection the elastomeric component of a decay pattern modifierembodying the principles of the invention may take in dampeningvibrations in accord with the principles of the present invention.

[0023]FIGS. 4B and 4C are side views of, respectively, a prior art decaypattern modifier and a decay pattern modifier as disclosed herin; acomparison of the two figures show the desirability lower profile of thedecay pattern modifiers disclosed herein;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary and pictorial view of: a split limbcompound bow and a second specie of shock and sound reducing accessorywhich embodies the principles of the present invention and is mounted tothe inner (string) side of the bow limb;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but looking at the outer sideof the bow and showing one of the accessory's two rigid mountingcomponents. The bow limb is clamped between this component and thesecond rigid mounting component (see FIG. 5) by a threaded fastener fordrawing the mounting plates toward each other to mount the accessory tothe bow limb;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the accessory of FIG. 5 asassembled to the bow limb; the components of the accessory as shown inFIG. 7 are: the two rigid accessory mounting components and fastenerdiscussed above, and a shock and sound reducing elastomeric component;that component is permanently attached to the second of the mountingcomponents;

[0027]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the FIG. 5 accessory;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a graph showing the decay pattern of the shock wavetransmitted to the limb of a Darton Mav Twin Cam 27-31 compound bow whenan arrow is released;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a graph like FIG. 8; in this case the bow was equippedwith decay pattern modifiers as described in the 6,298,842 patent;

[0030]FIG. 11 is a graph like FIG. 8; in this case the bow was equippedwith decay pattern modifiers embodying the principles of the presentinvention;

[0031]FIG. 12 is a graph showing the decay pattern of the soundgenerated when an arrow was released from a Bear compound bow;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a graph like FIG. 11 but showing the sound decaypattern when the arrow was released from the Bear bow equipped withdecay pattern modifiers as disclosed in the 6,298,842 patent; and

[0033]FIG. 14 is a graph like FIG. 11 but showing the sound decaypattern when an arrow was released from the Bear bow equipped with decaypattern modifiers embodying the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts, in fragmentaryform, a bow 20 equipped with vibration decay pattern modifiersconstructed and operating in accord with the principals of the presentinvention. Bow 20 has the customary, flexible limbs mounted to oppositeends of a riser 22. One of these limbs is shown in FIG. 1 and identifiedby reference character 24. Bow 20 also has a bow string 26 trainedaround cams rotatably mounted at those ends of the limbs opposite riser22. Only the cam mounted to limb 24 is shown in FIG. 1. That cam isidentified by reference character 28.

[0035] Referring still to FIG. 1, the decay pattern modifier attached tobow limb 24 is identified in FIG. 1 by reference character 30. Referringnow to more specifically, to FIGS. 2-4, decay pattern modifier 30 hastwo components—an elastomeric, decay pattern modifying, component 34 anda rigid plate 36 for attaching the elastomeric component to the limb ofa bow. The particular decay pattern modifying component of FIGS. 1-4 isdesigned to be mounted a bow limb of the solid type, and the bow limb 24depicted in FIG. 1 is of that type.

[0036] The second, mounting component 36 of decay pattern modifier 30 isfixed in any convenient manner to the end 38 of elastomeric decaypattern modifier component 34. Component 36 is employed to mount thedecay pattern modifier to the limb of a bow and is fabricated from amaterial with sufficient flexibility to conform to the contour of thelimb surface to which it is fixed. In the exemplary application of theinvention under discussion, this is the surface 40 of the bow limb 24illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0037] Mounting component 36 is adhesively, or otherwise, firmly fixedto end 42 of modifier component 34 as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.The exposed side 46 of component 36 is coated with an adhesive 48protected by a peel off covering 50. This makes the attachment of thedecay pattern modifier to the associated limb of bow 20 of the utmostsimplicity. All that is required is the removal of protective cover 50and the subsequent pressing of the decay pattern modifier onto the limbof the bow at the selected location there along.

[0038] In this regard, decay pattern modifiers such as the oneidentified by reference character 30 are preferably located near theouter ends of the bow limbs to which they are attached. The placing ofthe decay pattern modifiers at these locations has been found to be themost effective in mitigating the effects of shock and vibrations set upin bow 20 when an arrow is released.

[0039] It is also preferred that the decay pattern modifiers be mountedon the inner faces—such as 40—of the bow limbs to which they areaffixed. This keeps the modifiers from being snagged as a bowman movesthrough brush or bushes, for example. Significant, worthwhilemodification in the vibration decay patterns set up in the bow limbswhen an arrow is released can nevertheless be obtained by mounting thedecay pattern modifiers on the opposite, outer faces of the bow limbs.

[0040] Another deleterious phenomenon occurring when an arrow isreleased is the generation of unwanted sound. This is many times loudenough to scare away an animal being hunted, precluding the possibilityof a second shot, leading to the often onerous task of tracking down awounded animal. The level of the sound generated by an arrow releasedfrom a BEAR company compound bow with no vibration decay patternmodifiers is shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows that a significant,worthwhile reduction in the sound level can be obtained by adding to theBEAR bow, decay pattern modifiers as disclosed in the 6,298,842 patent,and FIG. 14 shows that an even greater reduction in sound level can beobtained by substituting decay pattern modifiers as disclosed herein forthose of the just referred to patent.

[0041] Referring still to the drawing, FIGS. 5-8 depict a second decaypattern modifier 60 designed so that it can be readily assembled to thelimbs (such as the illustrated limb 62) of a split limb bow.

[0042] Decay pattern modifier 60 has an elastomeric component 64 of thecharacter described above, and modifier mounting components or fittings66 and 68, which are located on opposite sides of limb 62. Fittings 66and 68 are fabricated of a material which is generally rigid but it hassufficient flexibility to conform to the outer and inner surfaces 70 and72 of the limb. Decay pattern modifier 60 also includes an internallythreaded sleeve 74 which is fixed in mount 66 and is extends through theslot 78 between the elements 80 and 82 of limb 62. An externallythreaded, screw like component 84 is seated in an aperture 86 throughmounting component 68 and is threaded into the complementary, internallythreaded component 74 of the modifier. By rotating component 84, themounting components 66 and 68 are drawn together to clamp thosecomponents against the opposite sides of limb 62.

[0043] The illustrated exemplary elastomeric components 34 and 64 arevirtual duplicates. Accordingly, only component 34 will be describedherein with the understanding that this description is equallyapplicable to component 64.

[0044] The 88 elastomeric component 34 has what maybe termed a head 88and an integral stem 90. These terms are employed for the sake ofconvenience and clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of theappended claims except as is expressly called for in those claims.

[0045] “Elastomer” and “elastomeric” are words of art. Elastomers arepolymeric materials which can be rapidly stretched to their elasticlimit (typically 200-1000 or more percent) and which snap or rebound totheir original shape and dimensions when the “stretching” force isremoved. Elastomers are thus defined in terms of their physicalproperties. Elastomeric is the adjective counterpart of, and hasessentially the same meaning as, elastomer.

[0046] One suitable material is NAVCOM. NAVCOM is a soft, amorphous,rubber-like elastomer which contains a mixture of chloroprene and butylpolymers. NAVCOM is available from Sims Vibration Laboratory, Shelton,Wash.

[0047] The selected elastomeric material may or may not be viscoelastic.If it is, the response of the material to the imposed load arising fromshock and vibration will have both viscous and elastic qualifiers.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 and 4A, integral gussets 92 and 94extend between the elements 88 and 90 of elastomeric modifier component32 at locations spaced 180 degrees apart around the circumference of thecomponent.

[0049]FIG. 4A shows, in stylized form, and by way of arrows 96 and 98one of the many shock and vibration decay pattern modifying deflectionpaths 56 elastomeric component 32 may follow when an arrow is releasedfrom bow 20 and vibrations are consequently set up in the limb 24 of thebow. As component 34 distorts along this path, the stretching andflexing elastomeric elements 88 and 90 absorb energy and dampen thevibrations. In addition, as the flexing and stretching continues, oneand then the other of the integral gusset elements because of reboundingcomes into contact with the surface 40 of bow limb 40. This results inthe transfer of additional kinetic energy from the bow limb to themodifier, further, and significantly, contributing to the dampeningproviding by the decay pattern modifying component.

[0050] Ths terms “shock” and vibration are recognized as closely relateddistinct phenomena. However, because both shock and vibration areclosely related, both will be subsumel under the term vibration as iscommonly done here for the sake of conscience and clarity. Bothcontribute to unwanted bow jump and sound with shock playing the majorrole in contributing factors in bow jump.

[0051] The vibration dampening efficiency of decay pattern modifiersemploying the principles of the present invention are demonstrated bythe graphically plotted results of tests of a Darton Mav Twin Cam 27-31compound bow with: (a) no decay pattern modifiers (FIG. 9); (b)modifiers of the character disclosed in above cited U.S. Pat. No.6,298,842 (FIG. 10;) and (c) decay pattern modifiers as disclosed herein(FIG. 10). Siginificant dampening and consequent reduction of unwantedphenomena such as bow jump which can cause flinching in terms of initialvibration amplitude and duration of vibration of significant amplitudewere realized by employing the patented decay pattern modifiers;additional important gains in terms of initial amplitude and duration ofvibrations of consequence were realized by employing the modifier of thepresent invention. This in much the same manner that the sound of a bellis muted by touching it with one's finger. The principles of the presentinvention have a lone been developed in the context of a device designedto reduce bow jump and the sound arising when an arrow is released froma bow. This is by no means the only application of such decay patternmodifiers. They can be fabricated of many sizes and shapes and mountedto other components of a bow or a bow mounted accessory (see e.g., FIGS.12-14 of the 842 patent) to also reduce the unwanted consequences ofarrow release. And, they can be used in countless other applicationswhere the modification of vibration decay and shock patterns isbeneficial.

[0052] It will therefore be apparent to the reader that the inventionmay be embodied in many forms in addition to those disclosed hereinwithout departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of theinvention. The present embodiments are therfore to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and the drawings, and all changes which come within themeaniing and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intendedto be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination: a bow; and an accessorycomprising a component for dampening vibrations set up in said bow whenan arrow is released by modifying the decay pettern of those vibrations,said accessory being mounted to said bow; The accessory comprising anelastomeric component which is capable of modifying said decay patternsby distortion of said component as the vibrations are transmitted to thecomponent; and The elastomeric component having an element so engagablewith the bow as said component distorts as to further dampen thevibrations transmitted to the elastomeric component.
 2. A combination asdefined in claim 1 wherein the elastomeric component of the accessoryhas intergral inline segments of different diameters and wherein the bowengagable element is at a juncture between said segments and isintergral with both of the segments.
 3. A device for enuating vibrationsset up in a body or member with which the devcie is operativelyassociated; said device comprising an elastomeric component capable ofso flexing and stretching and otherwise distorting as to reduce thevibrations setup in the body/members; said component comprising anelement operable upon contact with said body/member to futrther dampensaid vibrations.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein theelastomeric component of the device has integral inline segments ofdifferent diameters and wherein the body/member-engagable element islocated at a juncture between said segments and is integral with both ofthose segments.